The Three-Cone Drill (L-Test) is a key measure of agility, acceleration, and change-of-direction speed. It is widely used in the NFL Combine and other athletic performance assessments to evaluate an athlete’s ability to move efficiently in tight spaces. It has been demonstrated that the standard 5-yard version of the Three-Cone Drill is a reliable assessment of critical performance attributes (Langley et al., 2017).
The test consists of a series of sharp turns and sprints around three cones arranged in an L-shape, requiring athletes to execute rapid acceleration, deceleration, and cutting movements. The sequence challenges footwork, body control, and reaction time, making it a valuable indicator of game-speed agility.
Traditionally, coaches have relied on manual stopwatch timing, which, while simple, does not capture the fine details of an athlete’s movement patterns or areas for improvement.
Photon’s cutting-edge 3D sensor technology transforms this assessment by tracking 60 data points per second, providing detailed insights into each phase of the drill. Metrics such as acceleration, deceleration, cut and turn time and peak speed offer a complete performance breakdown, enabling coaches to refine training strategies based on precise, actionable data.
Image: An autogenerated plot of a Three Cone Drill test session
By moving beyond traditional timing methods, Photon’s technology helps athletes and coaches unlock greater agility, sharper turns, and improved acceleration, leading to game-ready performance.
This test is part of a series of American Football-specific assessments being launched across February and March by Photon Sports. Click here to learn more!
